Rs. seven crore more for night shelters in Delhi

Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung has granted an additional Rs.7 crore for the upkeep of night shelters for the city's homeless, his office said Monday.

He also asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to provide space to Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) for setting up more night shelters.

"Jung has allocated an additional sum of Rs.7 crore to DUSIB. This is in addition to the Rs.5 crores allocated to DUSIB recently," said a statement from the Lt Governor's office.

"In spite of the government's best efforts to ensure that people move into the safety and warmth of the night shelters in this severe winter, some people refuse to move from places they occupy on roads and under flyovers and bridges," said the statement.

"DUSIB is making arrangements for blankets and bedding for these establishments at the DMRC locations. DMRC has committed to provide the ground floor of metro station at Okhla to DUSIB for this purpose. In addition, it is providing portable cabins as well," it said.

Besides, Jung instructed DUSIB to set up tents under flyovers and bridges.

The Delhi government has established 221 night shelters for the homeless people, who number over 55,000.